First Level: The Saboteur
Without the nude code, sadly.Published 02/12/2009 at 9:00 by nofi
First Level: Bioshock 2 [17]
First Level: Army Of Two: 40th Day [14]
First Level: Avatar [15]
If you were expecting an update of Durell’s monochromatic side-on platformer/fighter then you’ll be disappointed – despite Pandemic’s ambitious sandbox adventure being partially in black and white, the two games couldn’t be further apart in scale and scope. Of course, even the most brazen of Spectrum fans would appreciate that the 1985 game with which this EA published title shares its name has lost much of its charm now – it’s too difficult, for starters, not something that particularly applies to what we’ve played so far of what amounts to being the last big game of 2009.
The two are completely different games, of course, and Pandemic’s saboteur is one steeped in a foreboding sense of fate as the opening’s colourful and rather innocent introductory levels give way to the dark, oppressive single visual tones that signify Nazi occupied Paris during the Second World War. There’s a quick sampling of this almost comic book overlay once the PS3 has performed its mandatory 7 minute install, teasing you with death and destruction before chronologically tripping you up for a nicely paced set-up sequence, the Trophies coming quick and steady.
Assisted ultimately by the French Resistance and British Intelligence, player character Sean, a happy-go-lucky Irish lad with a thick accent and acutely doffed cap slowly finds himself charged with rescuing the people of Paris from the Germans. In doing so, colour is gradually restored (think inFamous) and the people of France regain their will to fight, leaving you to move onto other areas accepting missions and taking out key Nazi officers as the story unfolds. This being a First Level, much of where the story is heading is still under the fog of war, but its solid enough so far.
I’ll leave the finer details for the review, which will hopefully be with you by the weekend, but it’s worth mentioning that the game appears to have plenty going for it for fans of the sandbox genre – the fighting is great fun, driving tricky but masterable and the acting as hammy as you’d expect. Visually it’s all pretty good, and the character models look great close up – the game comes with a code to unlock nudity (and a few other goodies) but our review copy didn’t, so I can’t comment on the game’s currently covered nipples – you’ll have to buy it first hand to get those.
For those looking for something a little bit different The Saboteur might be just what you’re after this Christmas – our early playtest suggests that the storyline might very well stick to genre staples such as double crossing, escort missions and an explosive climax but the game’s distinct style means that everything looks fresh at least. There’s a cool ‘perk’ system that’s just starting to shine and the weaponry is hotting up already – but we’ll save all that for the review. The Saboteur is out this Friday, and is available from Games Basement, Amazon, ShopTo and Play.com.
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
cc_star | 02/12/2009 00:01
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Can’t wait, its not like me to be excited for a game but I am this one!
bunimomike | 02/12/2009 11:34
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4733 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
I think it’s because we all respect the likes of GTA and what it’s done for sand-box gaming but want something a bit different. This may just cut-it. I am suitably keen to see how it fairs in the reviews as it looks like a good ol’ romp.
spooferbarnabas | 02/12/2009 09:05
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1598 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
Looks quite good but there are so many games out at the moment.
I might wait for the full review to decide to get it.
carlosfilippsen | 02/12/2009 13:02
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1316 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
Same here
BryOnRye | 02/12/2009 09:22
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813 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2009
“leaving you to move onto other areas accepting missions and taking out key Nazi officers as the story unfolds.”
Replace Nazi officers with Templars and its sounding very similar to another recently released game, minus the colour change. Not necessarily a bad thing mind.
AcidCrashX | 02/12/2009 09:26
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597 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
nice. I think I’ll be picking this up but due to Borderlands and Dragon Age I’m in no rush. Shame about Pandemic though, hope their ’swan-song’ will help them leave the industry with one last successful IP.
djdustb | 02/12/2009 09:27
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1305 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
Looking forward to the full review on this one. I have been keeping an eye on this for a while.
micromagic | 02/12/2009 09:38
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54 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2009
Hmmm this could be a surprise hit, I’m looking for some thing to play over xmas break, it could fill the void.
Soild_Nat | 02/12/2009 09:53
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804 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
This is my March 2010 ‘don’t get caught in the hype’ game. After i have finished Batman and Ratchet and Clank, (yes it will take me that long to plat them) i will have two games to trade in and buy this, hopefully at a reduced price.
I can then slink off into Paris whilst everyone else gets a bank loan or re-mortgages the house to buy the masses of AAA games coming out in March. Looking forward to the review and the first level overview bodes well for this game. I am expecting 8’s maybe a few 7’s but i will still pick this up as the sandbox game has fastley become my favorite type of game after InFamous and Red Faction restored my faith.
shields_t | 02/12/2009 09:56
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1634 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
Looks right up my street, I’ve preordered mine using the shopto link on tsa…..
Hank The Slayer | 02/12/2009 10:12
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322 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
I have pre-orderd my copy from Play.com. I watched a couple of vids on youtube.. Looks really good.
Aitrus | 02/12/2009 10:13
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1485 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
I haven’t followed this title much, but this First Level got me interested. I just might get it as a gift for myself.
mcduff1979 | 02/12/2009 10:14
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245 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
ill probably get this when its out and then next game on list is bad company 2
dirtyhabit | 02/12/2009 10:34
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1430 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Not heard much about this game, After reading this had a quick flick onto Gametrailers :-
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/just-getting-the-saboteur/57927
Looks pretty cool.
Gastos84 | 02/12/2009 11:01
Team TSA: Writer
3873 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
Got this on order and now I am even more excited!
BadBoyBoogie | 02/12/2009 11:05
Let There Be Rock
2689 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
I’m looking forward to this one, but I really must try and finish Assassins Creed 2 and Uncharted 2 first!! I’ll definitely be looking to pick this up sooner rather than later.
rht992 | 02/12/2009 11:12
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2833 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
Not sure about this one. Heard the shootings pretty rubbish which spoils the whole thing but what the hell at least the advert with Nina Simon singing is cool
cc_star | 02/12/2009 15:06
Team TSA: Writer
7815 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Shooting?
Think more GTA than Uncharted2, unfortunately.